HOISINGTON - The city of Hoisington is likely to see reduced electrical rates after the first of the year with a decrease of 15 percent in the meter and energy charge for 2013 and a reduction of an average of 19.5 percent in 2014 in the meter and energy charge if the recommendations of engineers and consultants, Sawvel and Associates Inc., are followed. At a Tuesday morning meeting, the group presented their recommendations to the Hoisington Utility Task Force.

Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.

The Great Bend American Legion Auxiliary is asking people to adopt a Fort Dodge soldier for Christmas. Meanwhile, the local Military Moms group is requesting donations for care packages that will be sent overseas to active military personnel.

Labradors, weimaraners and those of mixed descent, also known as mutts, walked with owners in the warm sun at the on Saturday, all in an effort to raise money for the Golden Belt Humane Society at the first annual "Get off your butts and walk your mutts" fundraiser.

The 10 p.m. Thanksgiving sale at Great Bend's Walmart got out of hand, with people being "knocked down and trampled," according to police reports. No one was sent to the hospital, but a woman did complain that her arm hurt after the scuffle, according to Sgt. James Buchar at the Great Bend Police Department.

HOISINGTON - Hoisington High School counselor Amanda Brack and art teacher Christine Lamoureaux recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the National Promising Practice Award in Character Education for Creating the Cardinal Core character education at Hoisington High School, which has involved nearly everyone at the school.

The holidays can be particularly stressful for families facing financial upheaval, and Jenny Gordy, Director of the Barton County Emergency Aid and the Barton County Food Bank has been collecting names of people who could use some extra help during this time.